Pingalwara stall row resolved, protest ends

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 18

After evoking sharp criticism from various quarters, the SGPC today allocated an alternative site to the All India Pingalwara Charitable Society for setting up their stall near the main entrance of the Golden Temple here.

With this the indefinite sit-in being staged by society chairperson Dr Inderjit Kaur and her associates also came to an end. Incidentally, the alternative site for the stall is not too far from its original location.

The SGPC today stepped in to resolve the issue apparently in view of the overwhelming support Pingalwara received not only from various organisations, but also from the pilgrims visiting the holy shrine. SGPC additional secretary Daljit Singh Bedi met Dr Kaur here this evening and offered her three sites to set up their stall, following which she gave her consent to the site adjacent to the ‘jora ghar’ (shoe keeping facility). Subsequently, the stall was moved to its new location and ‘ardas’ was performed.

Later, Dr Kaur said she was satisfied with the new site for the stall. She thanked the Sikhs for extending their support to them. Pingalwara’s Chief Administrator Col Darshan Bawa said the Deputy CM’s order regarding the removal of their stall was strongly condemned in the country and abroad.

He said Pingalwara supporters in Canada, USA, UK and Australia had flayed the move. On the other hand, Bedi claimed that the top SGPC officials were not taken into confidence before removing the stall.

During the protest, Pingalwara received immense support in the last 24 hours, prompting the SGPC to resort to corrective measures. Among the outfits which came out in their support included Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, Khalra Mission Organisation, All-India Sikh Students Federation and EcoAmritsar.